I was used as a public example of what not to do at a team meeting by Alison Green on February 15, 2021 A reader writes: Today we had our monthly team meeting, in which our managerial team usually chooses one topic to discuss and instruct the rest of the team on. Let’s say the work we do is llama grooming and today’s instruction was about the tone we use when writing the llama grooming documents. My grandboss, […] Read the full article →
when I asked for a raise, my boss went through my bills by Alison Green on February 9, 2021 A reader writes: I’ve been in my job for a little over a year. I asked my boss for a raise, and he asked if I really need it. It stumped me, seeing how I am barely getting by. I said yes. He went over my bills, and at the end he said, “You’ll have […] Read the full article →
my boss won’t talk to me and gave me a document of anonymous criticism by Alison Green on February 8, 2021 A reader writes: Recently I went to a coworker for advice on an issue I was having with my boss. He doesn’t do one-on-ones with me and doesn’t really talk to me outside of team meetings, though I’ve tried to ask for advice/direction and am usually met with “figure it out.” We’re both new to […] Read the full article →
I have to read my boss’s emails … including ones about the love nest he’s setting up to cheat on his wife by Alison Green on February 2, 2021 A reader writes: This is from a while back and no longer a current concern, but I would be interested in your perspective on how I should have handled it. As the executive assistant for a very busy VP, one of my responsibilities became inbox management: having full access to the VP’s inbox, sent items, […] Read the full article →
I’m furious that my boss refused to interview my partner by Alison Green on February 1, 2021 A reader writes: My company encourages candidate referrals. I referred my domestic partner to a full-time, permanent position on my team. There wouldn’t be a conflict of interest since i would not be his supervisor. We would have the same supervisor. His skills and experience were a great match and he was contacted by a […] Read the full article →
my boss’s stress is out of control by Alison Green on January 12, 2021 A reader writes: What can employees do when their managers are projecting tons of stress? I’m my manager’s only direct report, and I’m the first full-time person she’s managed. She’s always been bad at keeping her stress under wraps, but it’s gotten much worse with COVID. For the past month, in every one of our […] Read the full article →
I accidentally threw a sandwich and it caused a work crisis by Alison Green on January 5, 2021 A reader writes: OK, this is a ridiculous situation, but it’s also serious and spiralled out of control (we think?) and my coworker and I dug ourselves into a hole by staying silent. Our grandboss is, let’s say, frosty. Elegant, always in glorious suits, not-a-hair-out-of-place Anna Wintour type. Renton is a younger (30ish) lad-type. He’s […] Read the full article →
my boss keeps inviting herself to my house by Alison Green on November 24, 2020 A reader writes: Three months after I started a new job as an executive assistant, my position was eliminated. Fortunately, the company offered me a 12-month contract in another department with a new boss, which would help me out financially while I looked for a permanent job. When I met my new boss, “Carrie,” I […] Read the full article →
can I refuse to meet with my boss until he sends an agenda? by Alison Green on November 18, 2020 A reader writes: I am a teacher in a K-12 school. Like most teachers, I entered my profession believing that it was appropriate (and even necessary) to bury the lede when asking one of my students to have a conversation—you know, the old “Fergus, could I see you after class?” line that has set students’ […] Read the full article →
my boss never praises my work by Alison Green on October 20, 2020 A reader writes: I work as an assistant for the development team of a nonprofit. I’ve been in this role five years. My manager, Jane, who is far and away the most influential person in the organization, never praises me. Ever. She’s very good about addressing my mistakes (articulating what I did incorrectly, giving me […] Read the full article →